Ok, so this is turning out to be the week of parties. In keeping with the theme spoken of in earlier posts, but with a very different focus, this afternoon's surprise went off without a hitch (almost).
Today, as it turns out, is the last scheduled gathering for our friends at SACY to participate in the Community Kitchen, at least until next Fall. With a bit of communication between us and them, the guest of honor was brought in to help with the preparation for tonight's supper. She's been here many times before, and has contributed greatly to the preparation of nutritious food for her friends, but rarely is she able to stay with them to enjoy the fruits of their labor, since she often has to run off to other places to provide for still others.
Her giving nature was rewarded today as some unsung heroes banded together to arrange a baby shower for this very special participant. Gifts of all sorts, all things she will soon need to be able to welcome her new child in a fitting manner, along with a cake to celebrate the occasion with her friends, were provided today. What a fitting way to end the first year of this new adventure between SACY and the Beech Street Community Kitchen.
These are the unexpected moments that allow us to recognize the hard work that our new friends expend each day just to make a go of it. These are the simple things that we can do to make such a big difference in their (and our) lives.
Once our guest of honor understood that all this fuss was not about preparing for a celebration that was to take place later tonight, but rather a gift for her, there were tears (of gratitude and disbelief I think). Once again, this moment will be unpacked for days, weeks, months and perhaps even years to come: a simple opportunity to do a little bit for someone else, and to make such a big difference in her life.
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